Meneghello Paolelli: the detail that makes the difference

This episode of Behind takes us to Milan to meet Marco Paolelli and Sandro Meneghello, founders of the design studio Meneghello Paolelli. Since establishing their practice in 2006, the studio has developed a wide-ranging portfolio that spans furniture, lighting, wellness products, coverings and industrial objects. Yet beyond the diversity of sectors, their work is unified by a consistent approach: designing in close partnership with companies, with the aim of creating value through industrial products.

Both designers studied Industrial Design at the Politecnico di Milano, a formative environment that shaped their understanding of design as both a cultural and industrial discipline. Milan soon became their adopted city and the place where they built their professional path. From the outset, the studio positioned itself not simply as an external consultant but as a long-term partner for the companies it collaborates with.

For Meneghello and Paolelli, design is rarely an isolated act. Instead, it emerges from an ongoing dialogue with industry, where communication, production processes and distribution strategies all become part of the project. Over time, this collaborative model has led the studio to work with leading international brands across multiple product categories, while maintaining a strong focus on the development of industrial design.

The initial phase of their work is dedicated to investigation. Here, the foundations of a project are established through observation, research and an understanding of the context in which the product will exist. This stage is followed by a phase of analysis, where different possible directions are explored and evaluated.

Only after these steps does the creative synthesis emerge. In their view, the moment of design—the instant when an idea takes shape—can appear sudden, but it is made possible by the groundwork laid beforehand. It is this moment of synthesis that gives the project its identity.

The process continues with a phase of development, which the designers consider just as crucial as the earlier stages. Here, the project is refined and engineered until it reaches its final form, ensuring that the original concept can translate effectively into an industrial product.

Across these stages, the studio pursues what they describe as a search for a “distinctive character.” Often this quality resides in a small but meaningful detail that sets the product apart while preserving the company’s identity. Rather than imposing a recognizable stylistic signature, their aim is to reveal the most appropriate expression for each project.

Observation and intuition play a key role in this approach. According to the designers, ideas frequently emerge by recognizing solutions in unexpected contexts. A concept observed in one field may inspire a response in another, opening the door to lateral thinking and new possibilities.

Over the years, the studio’s work has received numerous national and international awards across different sectors. For Paolelli and Meneghello, these recognitions represent both a confirmation of their approach and an opportunity for reflection. Within the studio, awards mark milestones in a continuous journey of experimentation and development.

Externally, they also serve another purpose: highlighting the role of design within the broader industrial landscape. By encouraging their partner companies to participate in these recognitions, the designers aim to reinforce the value of design as a strategic tool capable of generating innovation and distinction.

Ultimately, the work of Meneghello Paolelli demonstrates how design can operate as a bridge between creativity and industry. Through careful observation, collaborative dialogue and a focus on meaningful details, their projects reveal how even the smallest element can contribute to shaping products with clarity, identity and lasting relevance.